Derby
Drunk.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Liberal Media
After the Derby, I put on CNN with the intention of taking a nap, Capitol Gang was on. When through my initiating dreams I heard someone say that its a shame someone leaked these torture photos, because it is going to get Americans killed. Not, that it was good to expose the inhumane cruelty being perpetrated by American soldiers on our dime. But that exposing it was the real crime.
Like I said, I was starting to fall asleep, and Capitol Gang has been known to cause hallucinations before, so I'll check the transcript as soon as it comes out.
After the Derby, I put on CNN with the intention of taking a nap, Capitol Gang was on. When through my initiating dreams I heard someone say that its a shame someone leaked these torture photos, because it is going to get Americans killed. Not, that it was good to expose the inhumane cruelty being perpetrated by American soldiers on our dime. But that exposing it was the real crime.
Like I said, I was starting to fall asleep, and Capitol Gang has been known to cause hallucinations before, so I'll check the transcript as soon as it comes out.
Friday, April 30, 2004
McCain and Sinclair days re-revisited
We've already touched on the absurd pre-emption of Nightline tonight by Sinclair Broadcasting, but I wanted to expand on a few points. First, the claim by Sinclair that simply showing the names and photos of fallen US soldiers in Iraq, without commentary of any sort, is in some way a political statement. 722 troops so far have died in Iraq. This is a fact (though Paul Wolfowitz may say otherwise). It only becomes political when Sinclair chooses not to air it because of its unapologetic support for Bush (though in this case "support" looks an awful lot like censorship). For more on this, Atrios has a great post today that details Sincalir's history of media manipulations in favor of Bush. And they're calling Ted Koppel's tribute "politically motivated"? I'd laugh if I didn't have that sick feeling in my gut. Must've had some bad Rove for lunch.
I also wanted to point to Sen. John McCain, whose name keeps popping up in every recent campaign issue. Today, he sent Sinclair Broadcasting a letter protesting their decision to pre-empt the tribute. "It is, in short, sir, unpatriotic. I hope it meets with the public opprobrium it most certainly deserves," McCain writes. This coming days after calling for a senate floor truce on attacking either candidate's military service. He defended Kerry's war record when it was being absurdly attacked. My point is, McCain seems like a bit of a tortured soul; i.e. a Republican with a conscience. How much more of this campaign nonsense can McCain take? Especially in the climate of a war, where Republicans continue to politicize it for a campaign? Remember, when Bush ran in 2000, Drinky and Karl Rove were just as bad or worse in attacking McCain (then a Republican presidential candidate opposite Bush) as they are now with Kerry. McCain's tried his best in the media spotlight to forget and make friends - but come on now Johnny, lead the way......there's plenty of room over here on the left.
We've already touched on the absurd pre-emption of Nightline tonight by Sinclair Broadcasting, but I wanted to expand on a few points. First, the claim by Sinclair that simply showing the names and photos of fallen US soldiers in Iraq, without commentary of any sort, is in some way a political statement. 722 troops so far have died in Iraq. This is a fact (though Paul Wolfowitz may say otherwise). It only becomes political when Sinclair chooses not to air it because of its unapologetic support for Bush (though in this case "support" looks an awful lot like censorship). For more on this, Atrios has a great post today that details Sincalir's history of media manipulations in favor of Bush. And they're calling Ted Koppel's tribute "politically motivated"? I'd laugh if I didn't have that sick feeling in my gut. Must've had some bad Rove for lunch.
I also wanted to point to Sen. John McCain, whose name keeps popping up in every recent campaign issue. Today, he sent Sinclair Broadcasting a letter protesting their decision to pre-empt the tribute. "It is, in short, sir, unpatriotic. I hope it meets with the public opprobrium it most certainly deserves," McCain writes. This coming days after calling for a senate floor truce on attacking either candidate's military service. He defended Kerry's war record when it was being absurdly attacked. My point is, McCain seems like a bit of a tortured soul; i.e. a Republican with a conscience. How much more of this campaign nonsense can McCain take? Especially in the climate of a war, where Republicans continue to politicize it for a campaign? Remember, when Bush ran in 2000, Drinky and Karl Rove were just as bad or worse in attacking McCain (then a Republican presidential candidate opposite Bush) as they are now with Kerry. McCain's tried his best in the media spotlight to forget and make friends - but come on now Johnny, lead the way......there's plenty of room over here on the left.
Thursday, April 29, 2004
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Torture Edition
The major news media (and the population at large) is obviously to wrapped up in Jacko's legal problems and whether Kerry threw medals or ribbons. Because this story about prisoner abuse by American soldiers is absolutely shameful. For all the trouble these assholes go to telling us how much better the Iraqis are now, then spending our money on deliberate torture just disgusts me. Link
Like Billmon said over at The Whiskey Bar, Meet the New Boss...
Torture Edition
The major news media (and the population at large) is obviously to wrapped up in Jacko's legal problems and whether Kerry threw medals or ribbons. Because this story about prisoner abuse by American soldiers is absolutely shameful. For all the trouble these assholes go to telling us how much better the Iraqis are now, then spending our money on deliberate torture just disgusts me. Link
According to the U.S. Army, one Iraqi prisoner was told to stand on a box with his head covered, wires attached to his hands. He was told that if he fell off the box, he would be electrocuted.
Like Billmon said over at The Whiskey Bar, Meet the New Boss...
Presidency for Sale
Just thought you'd like to know whose interests this election is actually serving:
A recent book, The Buying of the President 2004, details some of the major campaign contributors to Bush and Democratic nominees. Though it's just a partial list, I urge you to just take a second and look at the breakdown of contributors. The top career patron for Bushy is none other than Kenneth Lay's Enron Corporation. When you look at the bottom of this list at the total combined hard & soft contributions, the list of the Democratic Party's top 10 contributors includes mostly labor organizations and unions. Now check out the Republican side. We have two tobacco giants, two telephone juggernauts, a pharmeceutical company, an oil company, and Microsoft thrown in for good measure. Maybe I should buy a Mac after all.
Nah.
Just thought you'd like to know whose interests this election is actually serving:
A recent book, The Buying of the President 2004, details some of the major campaign contributors to Bush and Democratic nominees. Though it's just a partial list, I urge you to just take a second and look at the breakdown of contributors. The top career patron for Bushy is none other than Kenneth Lay's Enron Corporation. When you look at the bottom of this list at the total combined hard & soft contributions, the list of the Democratic Party's top 10 contributors includes mostly labor organizations and unions. Now check out the Republican side. We have two tobacco giants, two telephone juggernauts, a pharmeceutical company, an oil company, and Microsoft thrown in for good measure. Maybe I should buy a Mac after all.
Nah.
Bad Idea Jeans
It is exactly what Mao did during the resistance against Imperial Japan.
FALLUJA, Iraq, April 29 American military officials said today that a new Iraqi security force made up of former Iraqi soldiers and commanders will replace the American troops now in Falluja and assume responsibility for the city's security.It might be a way to end the macho standoff in Falluja, but long term this could just turn into a pipeline to arm the insurgents. It is explicitly a Sunni force, and I can see resistance commanders chomping at the bit to send volunteers.
It is exactly what Mao did during the resistance against Imperial Japan.
Big Brother pre-empts Nightline
Sinclair Broadcast group has ordered its affiliates to pre-empt Friday's broadcast of Nightline, during which Ted Koppel was going to pay tribute to the soldiers killed in Iraq by airing their names and faces one at a time. Sinclair representatives claim that the show "appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq." and "is not in the public's interest." Ted Koppel, an embedded reporter last year during the campaign, said he simply wanted to pay tribute to these soldiers, and was inspired for the idea for the show by a Time magazine issue in 1972 that used the entire magazine to profile each fallen soldier in Vietnam.
When honesty and facts become branded as "political", the US Democratic process gets eroded. How is this possibly a politically motivated issue? Oh, I see:
Sinclair Broadcast Group has contributed $160,000 to the Bush campaign.
Sinclair Broadcast group has ordered its affiliates to pre-empt Friday's broadcast of Nightline, during which Ted Koppel was going to pay tribute to the soldiers killed in Iraq by airing their names and faces one at a time. Sinclair representatives claim that the show "appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq." and "is not in the public's interest." Ted Koppel, an embedded reporter last year during the campaign, said he simply wanted to pay tribute to these soldiers, and was inspired for the idea for the show by a Time magazine issue in 1972 that used the entire magazine to profile each fallen soldier in Vietnam.
When honesty and facts become branded as "political", the US Democratic process gets eroded. How is this possibly a politically motivated issue? Oh, I see:
Sinclair Broadcast Group has contributed $160,000 to the Bush campaign.
Bush's Testification Over
Bush is answering some questions now that he's done with the panel. It seems very strange, almost like a preemption to say how well everything went. Almost to beat the panel members to the punch, in case it did go badly. Then he went into the all to common nowadays statement about how there might be another attack... which is another issue that will be tackled later.
Bush is answering some questions now that he's done with the panel. It seems very strange, almost like a preemption to say how well everything went. Almost to beat the panel members to the punch, in case it did go badly. Then he went into the all to common nowadays statement about how there might be another attack... which is another issue that will be tackled later.
Perspective
Alterman posted a great letter yesterday that puts the Tillman death in perspective. Sure, it was great what Tillman did and I'm sure he was a fine soldier, but there are countless other fine soldiers who will never get the credit.
Alterman posted a great letter yesterday that puts the Tillman death in perspective. Sure, it was great what Tillman did and I'm sure he was a fine soldier, but there are countless other fine soldiers who will never get the credit.
Bullshit
Well, McCaesar and Dickie boy get to "testify" today. Link
And separately.
What ever else is written about this, the bottom line is that it's total bullshit.
Well, McCaesar and Dickie boy get to "testify" today. Link
At the administration's request, the meeting was not being electronically recorded. Notetakers from the commission and the White House staff were told they could take detailed notes, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. The commission's interviews with former President Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore were recorded.
And separately.
What ever else is written about this, the bottom line is that it's total bullshit.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Fair and Impartial
Well, the Dickie Boy had his day in court the other day. Link
Well, the Dickie Boy had his day in court the other day. Link
The administration is arguing that the "de facto member doctrine" was never intended by Congress and should be rejected by the Supreme Court. Its brief says the doctrine turns the statute "into a general warrant to search executive branch groups and committees for contacts with outsiders who might be deemed de facto members," and that this interferes with the president's ability to obtain the advice he needs to perform his constitutional duties.Roughly translated, "that ruling was intended only for democrats and their secret meetings. Our secret meetings are more important cause we can make MONEY off of them. You hear me, Scalia, I told you all about it while we were hunting."
Having their cake and Roving it too
Democrats blasted back at the current attacks on Kerry's war record. Sen. Frank Lautenberg called Cheney the "lead chickenhawk" after the VP used Westminster college to campaign against John Kerry, pointing out that Cheney claimed he had "other priorities" during Vietnam.
Now is where the Karl Rove Evil Genius shows itself. Not only do the Republicans get to make baseless, nonsensical attacks on Kerry about things of little importance, the Republicans then get to play the victim when they are called out on this dirty tactic. Sen. John McCain, in response to Lautenberg's defense of Kerry:
Democrats blasted back at the current attacks on Kerry's war record. Sen. Frank Lautenberg called Cheney the "lead chickenhawk" after the VP used Westminster college to campaign against John Kerry, pointing out that Cheney claimed he had "other priorities" during Vietnam.
He also criticized President Bush for declaring an end to major combat operations in Iraq on May 1, 2003.
He showed a picture of Bush giving a speech on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln with the banner "Mission Accomplished" in the background.
"The mission accomplished was to get a picture that could be used in an election campaign," Lautenberg said.
Since that speech, 587 U.S. troops have died in Iraq, including 415 from hostile fire.
Lautenberg also criticized the president for saying "bring 'em on" to Iraqi insurgents.
"I served in Europe in World War II," he said. "The last thing I wanted to hear from my commander in chief, or my local commander, is dare the enemy to launch attacks against us."
Now is where the Karl Rove Evil Genius shows itself. Not only do the Republicans get to make baseless, nonsensical attacks on Kerry about things of little importance, the Republicans then get to play the victim when they are called out on this dirty tactic. Sen. John McCain, in response to Lautenberg's defense of Kerry:
"What are we doing on the floor of the Senate? We're attacking the president's credentials because of his service that ended ... more than 30 years ago," McCain said. "I think that's wrong. I wish we'd stop it. I wish we'd just stop, at least until the fighting in Iraq is over with."Couldn't agree with you more, John, but it's the Bush Administration that won't let Vietnam die.....Kerry didn't want to release his war record, and it's the Cheney speeches and old Vietnam press clippings that Rove digs up that keep this thing going. But for Rove, the tried and true method continues: get a headline on page 1, because nobody reads the retraction a week later on page 12 when all the facts come in.
and "At least could we declare that the Vietnam War is over and have a cease-fire and agree that both candidates -- the president of the United States and Sen. Kerry served honorably -- end of story? Now let's focus our attention on the conflict that's taking place in Iraq, that is taking American lives as I speak on this floor," he said.
AC/DC Acronym Contest Winner
The winner of our first acronym contest is King Khorn Karn's entry "America Closed / Democracy Cancelled". You definitely hit it with that one (plus it was one of the few we could get by the FCC). So, stand up and be counted in front of Fighter Hayabusa, Starman, King Slender and the rest, and view your prize here.
Stay tuned for Ludis' next exciting competition.
The winner of our first acronym contest is King Khorn Karn's entry "America Closed / Democracy Cancelled". You definitely hit it with that one (plus it was one of the few we could get by the FCC). So, stand up and be counted in front of Fighter Hayabusa, Starman, King Slender and the rest, and view your prize here.
Stay tuned for Ludis' next exciting competition.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Hilarious
There are some new Get your War On cartoons that I didn't know about. The most recent one is here.
There are some new Get your War On cartoons that I didn't know about. The most recent one is here.
Rumsfeld Police Secret
From the Nation
It goes on to say that when factoring how many personnel are fully trained, there are only 6,114 Iraqi security personnel, a far cry from the 200,000 he boasted about in March. At least he's honest about everything else.
From the Nation
March 15, 2004: "We now have 200,000 Iraqi security forces that are out there providing security in their country, and frankly, being killed themselves.... They're taking over responsibility for their country."
All those months Rumsfeld was cooking the books. In late March the Pentagon released a chart summarizing the numbers of Iraqi security force troops. It tells a different story from the one peddled by Rumsfeld. The summary notes that 75,844 Iraqis were on the payroll as police officers, but only 2,865 were fully qualified and on duty. Another 13,286 were deemed "partially qualified" and supposedly on duty, while 3,245 were in training. Three-fourths of those on the police payroll had received no training. Six months earlier Rumsfeld had declared that 55,000 police had been trained. Not even close. (Despite the small size of the new Iraqi police force, it has been a primary target of the insurgents, who recently mounted attacks on police stations in Basra that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians. And Iraqi police elsewhere have been killed in assaults.)
It goes on to say that when factoring how many personnel are fully trained, there are only 6,114 Iraqi security personnel, a far cry from the 200,000 he boasted about in March. At least he's honest about everything else.
More on Bush and the war
Link:
Here is a nice little summary of what Kerry, Drinky, and Dickie-boy were doing during the Vietnam conflict.
Link:
Here is a nice little summary of what Kerry, Drinky, and Dickie-boy were doing during the Vietnam conflict.
Finally
A Democrat who knows how to respond to the bullshit smear tactics. This should make us all very, very happy.
Link:
I know there are those who subscribe to the political maxim that "when a dog is barking at you, the last thing you want to do is get on your knees and bark back." For what it's worth, I agree. When a dog is barking at you, the correct mode of response is to kick the dog. Kick the dog very, very hard. Right in the butthole.
A Democrat who knows how to respond to the bullshit smear tactics. This should make us all very, very happy.
Link:
John Kerry said Tuesday that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have no standing in criticizing his military service and anti-war effort, considering questions about one's National Guard attendance and the other's deferments from Vietnam.
"I think a lot of veterans are going to be very angry at a president who can't account for his own service in the National Guard, and a vice president who got every deferment in the world and decided he had better things to do, criticizing somebody who fought for their country and served," Kerry told the Dayton Daily News.
I know there are those who subscribe to the political maxim that "when a dog is barking at you, the last thing you want to do is get on your knees and bark back." For what it's worth, I agree. When a dog is barking at you, the correct mode of response is to kick the dog. Kick the dog very, very hard. Right in the butthole.
Oh say can you see...
...another stunning example of ineptitude.
...another stunning example of ineptitude.
"But the new national flag, presented Monday after an artistic competition sponsored by the Iraqi Governing Council, appears to have met with widespread public disapproval here -- in part because of its design and in part because of the increasing unpopularity of the U.S.-appointed council."Link here.
Way to Go
Link
Link
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops fought militiamen overnight near the Shiite holy city of Najaf, killing 64 gunmen and destroying an anti-aircraft gun belonging to the insurgents, the U.S. military said Tuesday.Wow. And ya know all 64 of those killed were insurgents.
Monday, April 26, 2004
Acronym Competition
It is a well kept Republican secret that Dick Cheney stood in for Angus Young during the '79 Highway to Hell Tour, but we here at Ludis were able to get a hold of this alternate album cover. However, Karl Rove did manage to bury all evidence of what the letters AC/DC actually stood for during the short-lived lineup with Cheney (of course, after getting booted out of the band, Cheney had the religious right claim it was "Anti Christ Devil's Children"). Anyone have the real answer?
It is a well kept Republican secret that Dick Cheney stood in for Angus Young during the '79 Highway to Hell Tour, but we here at Ludis were able to get a hold of this alternate album cover. However, Karl Rove did manage to bury all evidence of what the letters AC/DC actually stood for during the short-lived lineup with Cheney (of course, after getting booted out of the band, Cheney had the religious right claim it was "Anti Christ Devil's Children"). Anyone have the real answer?
In case you didn't know...
Americans (mainly Republicans) are fucking idiots.
Link
And...
How can Republican leaders be so shrewd, cunning, and masters of the political game, while their rank and file are hopelessly inept... I guess that kind of answers itself.
Americans (mainly Republicans) are fucking idiots.
Link
WASHINGTON - A new poll shows that 57 percent of Americans continue to believe that Saddam Hussein gave "substantial support" to al-Qaida terrorists before the war with Iraq, despite a lack of evidence of that relationship.
In addition, 45 percent of Americans have the impression that "clear evidence" was found that Iraq worked closely with Osama bin Laden's network, and a majority believe that before the war Iraq either had weapons of mass destruction (38 percent) or a major program for developing them (22 percent).
There's no known evidence to date that these statements are true.
And...
For example, among those who say most experts agree that Iraq had banned weapons, 72 percent plan to vote for Bush.
How can Republican leaders be so shrewd, cunning, and masters of the political game, while their rank and file are hopelessly inept... I guess that kind of answers itself.
Kerry's Military Record
The recent attacks on Kerry's military record don't really deserve much of a response. It is just the classic right wing tactic of attacking your opponent on an issue that you are soft on. They do this for several reasons, first they are still worried that Dinky's "military" record will resurface again, second so they can get the headline on the news tickers, and finally because a good number of the idiots in this country will believe them.
Phase one backfired, attacking Kerry's actual service record. As boring as the guy can be, it turns out he was the guy they based most of the Rambo movies on.
Now they are going after his actions once he returned home. I still don't think this will resonate all that much, because it is still so easily compared to what Preznit Dinklips was doing at the time...
Hanging out with ambitious secretaries and doing lots of blow... Allegedly.
The recent attacks on Kerry's military record don't really deserve much of a response. It is just the classic right wing tactic of attacking your opponent on an issue that you are soft on. They do this for several reasons, first they are still worried that Dinky's "military" record will resurface again, second so they can get the headline on the news tickers, and finally because a good number of the idiots in this country will believe them.
Phase one backfired, attacking Kerry's actual service record. As boring as the guy can be, it turns out he was the guy they based most of the Rambo movies on.
Now they are going after his actions once he returned home. I still don't think this will resonate all that much, because it is still so easily compared to what Preznit Dinklips was doing at the time...
Hanging out with ambitious secretaries and doing lots of blow... Allegedly.
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